I stood in awe as I opened my hotel balcony door direclty to the Kanchenjuga range.

Pelling offers the closest view in India of the Kanchenjunga (the second highest peak in the world). A 04 hour drive through the hilly regions and the rough road from Gangtok will get you there.

Any hotel you check into, will give you a direct view of the Kanchenjunga range. This place is not too touristy leaving some space for you. You can wake up and sip your coffee while you watch the sun rays slowly fall on the peak of Kangchenjunga. The view is stunning and one actually needs to see it to believe it.

The view from my hotel balcony

Other places you must see:

The Khecheopalri Lake is one of the sacred lakes of Sikkim. The serenity of the Khechopari lake is maintained by the birds where the falling leaves in the lake are picked up instantly by them. The path to the lake is studded with prayer wheels on either side while colourful prayer flags whirl in the wind closer to the water.

Image Credit: www.500px.com

Pemayangtse Monastery, literally translated from ‘perfect sublime lotus’ is a must-visit in this region. It is the second oldest monastery in Sikkim, founded in 1705. The main statue of Padmasambhava with his consorts and the paintings around the temple are unique. The first floor houses several ancient Buddhist dolls, idols and paintings. The second floor is magical- the seven-tiered wooden structure, a model of the Heavenly Palace.

Singshore bridge, the second highest suspension bridge in Asia. 25 kms from Pelling, the view from the bridge will bring a chill down your spine.

Other places to visit are the Kanchenjunga falls and Rimbi falls. For people more adventurous, there are several treks available from Yuksom village.

Travel tips for Pelling:

Wake up early to watch the sun fall over the Kanchenjunga peak

Carry enough cash, since there are no ATMs in Pelling and credit cards are not widely accepted

The weather is cold throughout the year so ensure you have thermals

Some of the sightseeing has steep roads, so please carry comfortable shoes.

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